Kuwait to Chair the General Assembly of the Arab Businesswomen's Council

Sheikha Hessa Al-Abdullah, Chairperson of the Council, stated in her opening address at the meeting that Arab women represent a genuine economic force capable of creating opportunities, leading institutions, and contributing to shaping the future of their homelands, emphasizing that women’s empowerment constitutes an investment in the future of the Arab nation.

She added that the university has played a significant role in hosting and supporting the Council’s mission throughout its various stages of development, enabling it to become one of the Arab entities focused on empowering women, enhancing their economic presence, encouraging entrepreneurship, and investing in youth.

The Council’s Chairperson highlighted the university’s achievements over the past years in supporting the Council and shaping its trajectory, describing this support as “a foundation for building a greater and stronger future.” She extended her gratitude to the university’s former secretaries-general, foremost among them the late Dr. Awat Abdel-Magid, as well as Amr Moussa, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and Dr. Nabil Fahmy.

She expressed her appreciation for her late father, Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, former Emir of the State of Kuwait, affirming that he was a pillar and an impetus for her to persist in her dream of establishing an entity that unites Arab businesswomen under a single Arab umbrella and network, through which relationships, energies, and expertise can be integrated.

For her part, Dr. Hala El-Said, Economic Advisor to the Egyptian President, stated that the upcoming phase requires a transition in the role of Arab women from mere participation in economic activities to having a real influence on their trajectories and shaping their future, amid the rapid political and geopolitical challenges facing the region.

She added that women have become a key partner in shaping the future and supporting the economy, noting that the challenge lies in transforming the individual successes of Arab businesswomen into an economic force that supports joint Arab efforts by building broader links and partnerships.

El-Said emphasized that cooperation between businesswomen and Arab institutions “is not a luxury but a necessity for success,” calling for genuine partnerships that connect companies, investors, and opportunity holders across Arab countries.

She stressed the need for Arab capital to become “a bridge connecting our homelands,” thereby contributing to the development of projects and partnerships that transcend local market boundaries and leverage the vast potential of the Arab market.

El-Said called for investment in technology and artificial intelligence, and for their utilization in developing projects and achieving further success, pointing out that knowledge has become one of the most important forms of capital in the modern economy.

She affirmed that the responsibility of every successful businesswoman toward the new generation of women lies in transferring expertise and knowledge and paving the way for more female entrepreneurs, thereby transforming individual success into an economic and social force.

For her part, Amal Ammar, Chairperson of the National Council for Women in Egypt, considered that women’s economic empowerment is no longer merely one of the development pathways but has become a strategic path linked to countries’ ability to sustain growth and enhance the competitiveness of their economies.

She added that the meeting carries important implications for strengthening joint Arab action and the role of Arab women in the economic field, opening broader horizons for cooperation among businesswomen in Arab countries.

Ammar stated that women have become partners in decision-making, production, and investment, making the enhancement of their economic participation a key element in supporting the competitiveness of national economies.

She pointed out that the National Council for Women has supported numerous projects and programs targeted at women, providing opportunities for training, employment, and capacity building, and opening the door for Egyptian models to reach broader levels of success and competition.

Ammar emphasized that Egyptian women are no longer merely beneficiaries of empowerment programs, but have become partners in production, investment, and development, affirming the commitment to strengthen and expand this trend across the Arab world.

She expressed the National Council for Women’s pride in its collaboration with the Arab Women Business Council, underscoring the importance of enhancing the partnership between the two bodies to support the role of Arab women and leverage their capabilities in shaping the future.

The meeting will include the screening of a documentary on the Arab Women Business Council’s journey, alongside the General Assembly session, which will feature the presentation of the financial and administrative reports, as well as the council’s administrative positions and organizational structure for its eighth term, spanning from 2026 to 2030.